Gaping Fracking Loopholes Usher in Reckless New Development

How close is too close?  How about 40 feet downwind?  That is the approximate distance between this newly constructed office building to an existing Chesapeake operated drill site in Arlington, Texas.   How did the developer manage to get this done when the City's gas drilling ordinance mandates a setback distance of 600 feet from the drill zone to a protected use, unless of course a waiver is obtained which happens quite frequently?  We have learned that not only in Arlington, but also in adjacent cities, that this rule applies only for existing housing developments, hospitals, schools, daycare facilities, etc.  Apparently, most Texas municipalities believe that the "Rights" of a private property owner supersede the health and safety of those individuals who will be faced with living, going to work or conducting business near these locations.  

Newly constructed medical office building adjacent to the Rocking Horse Gas Drill Site located near the intersection of South Collins Street  and Caplin Drive in Arlington, TX.

This Moat-like frac pond used to be where the newly constructed medical office building is now located.  We hope they tamped down the soil well enough.  Arlington's Mayor and the developer wanted Chesapeake to remove the frac pond in order to develop that land.  Click here to see that Epic City Council  meeting where Mayor Cluck tells Charles Davis of Chesapeake that they can drill 80 wells there if they want to.  (Mr. Davis is no longer employed by Chesapeake.)

From the side door to the retaining wall we counted 25 footsteps which equates to roughly 21 feet!  We did not measure the additional few feet from the edge of the wall to the edge of the padside, but it appears to be less than 20 feet. 

• A 600 foot setback is far from being protective; however, if this setback applies to existing developments, it should also apply for future ones.  Otherwise, we just have another gaping loophole big enough for a Mack truck to drive through.  Just because something is legal doesn't make it morally right.  Where are all the right-wing Christian legislators when we need them most?

Pipeline Explosion in Ellis County, Texas

Dear City of Arlington,

The shale gas industry repeatedly tells us about their excellent safety record.  We've never believed them.  We don't think gas drilling in residential neighborhoods is safe.

May we please get a Moratorium now?

Sincerely,
Fish Creek Neighbor 

Click here for WFAA story.
Click here for NBC story.
Click here for the State Impact report.
Click here for Business Insider coverage.
Click here for Climate Progress story.
Click here for updates from Texas Sharon Bluedaze Drilling Reform.
Click here for KREM's amazing photo gallery.

Frickin Frackin Wrinkles and a Pockmarked Face

Life on the shale takes a toll on the body and mind.  Residents have many sleepless nights due to loud industrial noise and bright lights shining into homes.  The process of extracting gas is dirty business.  Shale gas development creates serious environmental consequences which is why the oil and gas industry needed to obtain Federal exemptions from the Clean Air Act, Clean Water Act, Safe Drinking Water Act, National Environment Policy Act, Resource Conservation and Recovery Act, Emergency Planning and Community Right-to-Know Act, and Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act.  Click Here to see Exemptions for  Hydraulic Fracturing Under United States Federal Law.

Because the oil and gas industry enjoys such widespread exemptions, citizens near these mining sites no longer get to enjoy clean air.  Not only is air pollution detrimental to our health, but it makes our skin age prematurely. 

While intrinsic skin aging is largely affected by genetics and the passage of time, extrinsic skin aging occurs from exposure to the sun, smoking, and environmental pollution.  This is why living near multiple gas drill sites is not good for ladies (and men) who are concerned about maintaining a youthful appearance.  Since I just passed the turn of the century mark, I am becoming more self conscious about the health and appearance of my skin and have concerns that the North Texas smog will expedite the aging process. 

Our skin is the human body's largest organ.  It weighs about eight pounds and the average adult has 22 feet of it.  In much the same way as a dam's purpose is to retain large a body of water, the skin serves as a protective barrier to maintain fluid balance in our bodies.  Air pollution strips moisture away from the skin creating fine lines, wrinkles and loss of elasticity.  It also increases the risk for eczema,  rashes, acne and cancer.

So ladies ~ and gentlemen ~ if you live on the shale, be sure to apply a good moisturizer or skin barrier such as aloe vera with antioxidants.  It may take a long time to get the Federal Government to reverse the Halliburton Loophole.  If that ever happens, it will be nearly impossible for the industry to extract any more fossil fuels from Mother Earth.

Change happens through the power of grassroots involvement.  While a fracking ban is ideal, some cities have already opened the shale gas door.  In that case enacting a moratorium while strengthening local ordinances can keep the frackers at bay.  Just as skin serves as a protective barrier for the body, a local gas drilling ordinance should protect its citizens.   Ordinances written by industry contain so many loopholes they look like a pockmarked face and allows shale gas developers to damage our land leaving permanent scars. 

Photo by Amy Youngs

Think about it!

XTO Loses at Arlington City Hall

Eden Southwest Gas Drill Site Operated by XTO Energy

Tuesday was a really bad night for Walter Dueease, Regulatory Affairs Manager of XTO Energy.  This Exxon Mobil subsidiary lost their zoning request by a unanimous vote of 9-0 at Arlington, Texas City Hall.  They had hoped to expand their 5.4 acre Eden Southwest drill site with an adjacent 6.3 acre tract in order to set up a temporary above-ground frac pool while keeping the existing frac pond that is at this location.

During last month's Planning and Zoning meeting Chairman, David McGlaun, and Vice-Chairman, Clete McAlister, opposed this request. 

Even Councilwoman, Sheri Capehart, who expressed during the earlier afternoon session that she thought these frac pools were a great idea, suddenly changed her mind and made the motion to deny XTO's request. 

As long-time Arlington resident Kimberly Franklin succinctly states, "One point eight million gallons of fluid 200 feet from homes in a temporary container is a bad idea."  She hit the ball out of the park with her speech Tuesday night.  We encourage you to listen to all the speeches as everyone did a fantastic job.  Kimberly was the first of ten speakers.

This request was a terrible idea.  Fracking is not just about the water.  This is HEAVY INDUSTRIAL MINING inside our residential communities.  

As more people witness middle-class suburbia turn into sprawling industrial zones, opposition to gas drilling grows in Arlington and its surrounding cities.  A good showing of citizens came prepared to speak.  Here is that video clip.  Watch this monumental moment in gas drilling history where Arlington City Council votes UNANIMOUSLY in OPPOSITION to XTO's request. 

October 15, 2013 Arlington, Texas City Council Meeting

Now, this is the kind of dancing the people love to see. 

Be sure to click on the links within this story so you don't miss any details.

Fish Creek Monitor Attends Screening of Gasland II

Fish Creek Monitor attends screening of Gasland II at Ridglea Theater in Fort Worth, TX

 The event was a huge success, and everyone had a great time last night. 

We did not see any City Council members in the audience.  

Mary Kelleher, Tarrant Regional Water District Board Member attended.

In case you're not familiar with her, click here, here, and here.

Thank you, Josh Fox, the stars of this film, and a special thanks to the countless activists who work diligently behind the scenes in the hope of  banning this dangerous practice of unconventional shale gas extraction before our planet reaches the tipping point of no return...

Tsunami

Our neighbors once had a small above ground swimming pool.   One day its walls gave way and the pool burst.  In a matter of seconds, the force of the water pushed our six foot tall fence panels halfway into our yard.   The water reached our foundation.  That little round pool contained roughly 10,000 gallons of water, yet its weakened structure caused a mini tsunami.

Now imagine this ~ your industrial neighbor, XTO Energy, erects an olympic-sized above ground frac pool with a diameter of 160' and walls 12' tall.   These pools hold two million gallons of water!   What if those walls were to suddenly collapse due to a situation of improper installation, defects, age, seismicity, a tornado, or even gunshots, which are becoming commonplace in our city?   The consequences would be catastrophic ~ perhaps deadly for nearby residents and anyone who happens to be walking or driving by in a car. 

A zoning amendment to add six additional acres to hold one of of these giant frac pools on XTO's existing Eden Southwest  Drill Site located at 150 Eden Road, Arlington, Texas was up for discussion at Wednesday's September 18th Planning & Zoning hearing at City Hall.   Here is that video:  (Note:  This video may not play on mobile devices.  Please view on your PC or Mac.)

"This is not a destructive type of activity at all," states Walter Dueease, Regulatory Affairs Manager, XTO Energy.

The six speakers in opposition made excellent points.  We've summarized and highlighted a few of these: 

Kim Feil:  XTO said in the afternoon session that the water would not hurt ducks.  Clarification is needed as to whether this water will be treated or reclaimed.  Reminds the commissioners that their is no language in the City's gas drilling ordinance for frac pools.  Until the ordinance is updated where residents are protected, the applicant should be denied.

Jane Lynn:   "Pennsylvania's Attorney General has charged XTO with environmental crimes for spilling over 50,000 gallons of toxic wastewater.   Do we trust them to operate in the middle of our residential neighborhoods?"  In addition, XTO has recently violated the designated truck route in the Fish Creek Neighborhood.  She also wanted to know why we are talking about frac pools when we are in a drought.

Sinikka Dickerson:  Provides testimony about the time when both she and a Veteran Arlington police officer got sickened  in a residential neighborhod  that is surrounded by gas drill sites.  She said, "I can't wrap my mind around it why smart, educated people who by now ought to know better continue approving these activities in residential neighborhoods."

J.R. Nicholson:   Speaks about the gas clouds that came over his house and how his (now deceased) mother couldn't breathe.  A cluster of his neighbors have passed away in a short span of time.   He talked about his burning lungs, unexplained weight loss, breathing problems, and headaches.  Regarding our regulatory agencies he comments, "This whole thing is a bought and paid for farce."  His plead to P&Z is to take a serious look at this issue with their heart and soul because as he states, "Money isn't everything."

Paul Ulrich:  Discusses the dismal state of  the neighborhood  ~ evidence of deterioration of infrastructure of roads, sidewalks, and houses.  "We have proof of drill mud contamination from horizontal drilling."   He goes on to say that while it may seem innocuous to add a frac pool, it is not.  "This is about allowing a known bad operator to extend the range of influence in our community.  There will be more opportunities...to damage, spill, pollute."   Each time they put up the pool and take it down, it impacts the community.   He says, "We want you to stop drilling and move back out of our community and  leave us alone to pick up the pieces so we can start healing and stop the death.  If you don't, then ten years from now Arlington will be a polluted, destroyed industrial waste ghetto."  Finally, he recommends that XTO purchase flood insurance for everyone in that vicinity.

Lola Gulley:  "We need to take our neighborhood back before we're all destroyed.  If the water breaks, all our homes and the neighborhood would be gone.  Too many people are dying. Our property is being damaged from the fracking and the drilling.  I think we should stop thinking about the money and think about the residents." 

It is Powerful when community comes together.

Stay tuned to hear how that vote went down...